Editing Atari 2600 (section)

==Console models==
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=vertical
|image1=Atari-2600-Vader-FL.jpg
|caption1 = The all-black model that first used the Atari 2600 name (released in November 1982)
|image2=Atari-2600-Tele-Games-FL.jpg
|caption2 = Sears rebranded the VCS as the "Video Arcade" for its Tele-Games line.
|image3=Atari-2600-Video-Arcade-II-FL.jpg
|caption3=The design of the Japan-only Atari 2800 was previously used in the US for the Sears Video Arcade II.
|image4=Atari-2600-Jr-FL.jpg
|caption4=The 1986 cost-reduced version, nicknamed "2600 Jr."
}}

===Minor revisions===
The initial production of the VCS was made in Sunnyvale during 1977, using thick [[polystyrene]] plastic for the casing as to give the impression of weight from what was mostly an empty shell inside.<ref name="atari fun chp5"/> The initial Sunnyvale batch had also included potential mounts for an internal speaker system on the casing, though the speakers were found to be too expensive to include;  instead sound was routed through the TIA to the connected television.<ref name="atari fun chp5"/> All six console switches were mounted on the front panel. Production of the unit was moved to Taiwan in 1978, where a less thick internal metal shielding was used and thinner plastic was used for the casing, reducing the system's weight. These two versions are commonly referred to as "Heavy Sixers" and "Light Sixers" respectively, referencing the six front switches.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.digitalgamemuseum.org/you-can-judge-a-2600-by-its-cover/ | title = You Can Judge a 2600 By Its Cover | first = Dave | last = Beaudoin | date = May 31, 2016 | access-date = September 11, 2018 | work = Digital Game Museum | archive-date = September 11, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180911225626/https://www.digitalgamemuseum.org/you-can-judge-a-2600-by-its-cover/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="atari fun chp5"/>

In 1980, the difficulty switches were moved to the back of the console, leaving four switches on the front and replacing the previous all lowercase font for the switch labels to fully capitalized wording. Otherwise, these four-switch consoles look nearly identical to the earlier six-switch models. In 1982, to coincide with the release of the Atari 5200, Atari rebranded the console as the "Atari 2600", a name first used on a version of the four-switch model without woodgrain, giving it an all-black appearance. This all-black model is commonly referred to by fans as the "Vader" model, due to its resemblance to [[Darth Vader|the ''Star Wars'' character]] of the same name.

===Sears Video Arcade {{anchor|sears}}===
Atari continued its [[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]] relationship with [[Sears]] under the latter's Tele-Games brand, which started in 1975 with the original ''[[Pong]]''. This is unrelated to the company [[Telegames]], which later produced 2600 cartridges.<ref name="TelegamesCatalog">{{cite web
 | url = https://atariage.com/catalog_overview.php?SystemID=2600&CatalogID=21
 | title = Atari 2600 Catalog: Telegames
 | last = Yarusso
 | first = Albert
 | work = [[AtariAge]]
 | access-date = August 31, 2010
 | archive-date = July 26, 2020
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200726103858/https://atariage.com/catalog_overview.php?SystemID=2600&CatalogID=21
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref><ref name="Sears_n_ColecoGemini">{{cite web | url = https://wearethemutants.com/2017/09/19/the-sears-tele-games-video-arcade-1977-and-the-coleco-gemini-1982/ | title = The Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade (1977) and the Coleco Gemini (1982) | last = Grasso | first = Michael | date = September 19, 2017 | publisher = We Are the Mutants | access-date = July 22, 2020 | archive-date = July 22, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200722033027/https://wearethemutants.com/2017/09/19/the-sears-tele-games-video-arcade-1977-and-the-coleco-gemini-1982/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Sears released several models of the VCS as the Sears Video Arcade series starting in 1977. The final Sears-specific model was the Video Arcade II, released during the fall of 1982.<ref name="Sears Ad">{{cite news |title=Sears Ad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record/123038461/ |access-date=17 April 2023 |work=Daily Record |publisher=Sears |date=8 December 1982 |page=9 |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417181106/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record/123038461/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sears released versions of Atari's games with Tele-Games branding, usually with different titles.<ref name="searscartridge" /> Three games were produced by Atari for Sears as exclusive releases: ''[[Steeplechase (video game)|Steeplechase]]'', ''[[Stellar Track]]'', and ''[[Submarine Commander (Atari 2600)|Submarine Commander]]''.<ref name="searscartridge">{{cite web | url = https://atariage.com/label_page.php?LabelID=10 | title = Atari 2600 – Sears&nbsp;– Picture Label Variation | last = Yarusso | first = Albert | publisher = [[AtariAge]] | access-date = October 7, 2007 | archive-date = September 29, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150929042236/http://atariage.com/label_page.php?LabelID=10 | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Atari 2800 {{anchor|2800}}===
The Atari 2800 is the Japanese version of the 2600 released in October 1983. It is the first Japan-specific release of a 2600, though companies like [[Epoch Co.|Epoch]] had distributed the 2600 in Japan previously. The 2800 was released a short time after [[Nintendo]]'s [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer]] (which became the dominant console in Japan), and it did not gain a significant share of the market. Sears previously released the 2800 in the US during late 1982 as the Sears Video Arcade II, which came packaged with two controllers and ''Space Invaders''.<ref name="atarimuseum" /><ref name="Sears Ad"/> Around 30 specially branded games were released for the 2800.

Designed by engineer Joe Tilly, the 2800 has four controller ports instead of the two of the 2600. The controllers are an all-in one design using a combination of an 8-direction digital [[joystick]] and a 270-degree [[paddle (game controller)|paddle]], designed by John Amber.<ref name="atarimuseum">{{cite web|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2800/A2800.html |title=The Atari 2800 System |first=Curt |last=Vendel |website=atarimuseum.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160523171925/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2800/A2800.html |archive-date=May 23, 2016 }}</ref> The 2800's case design departed from the 2600, using a wedge shape with non-protruding switches. The case style is the basis for the [[Atari 7800]], which was redesigned for the 7800 by Barney Huang.<ref name="atarimuseum" />

===1986 model===
The cost-reduced 1986 model, sometimes referred to as the "2600 Jr.",  has a smaller form factor with an [[Atari 7800]]-like appearance. It was advertised as a budget gaming system (under {{US$|50|long=no}}) with the ability to run a large collection of games.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Atari 7800 and 2600|magazine=Sears Catalog|date=1988|url=https://atariage.com/forums/topic/233960-7800-2600-jr-ad-in-sears-1988-catalog/|access-date=May 20, 2018|archive-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715174649/https://atariage.com/forums/topic/233960-7800-2600-jr-ad-in-sears-1988-catalog/|url-status=live}}</ref> Released after the video game crash of 1983, and after the [[History of the Nintendo Entertainment System#North American launch (1985-1986)|North American launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System]], the 2600 was supported with new games and television commercials promoting "The fun is back!". Atari released several minor stylistic variations: the "large rainbow" (shown), "short rainbow", and an all-black version sold only in Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title = 2600 Consoles and Clones |url = https://atariage.com/2600/archives/consoles.html |access-date = August 2, 2018 |archive-date = October 6, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071006124404/http://www.atariage.com/2600/archives/consoles.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Later European versions include a joypad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=retroplace |title=Atari 2600 Jr. {{!}} Atari 2600 |url=https://www.retroplace.com/en/games/180313--atari-2600-jr |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=retroplace.com |date=1983 |language=en |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827204231/https://www.retroplace.com/en/games/180313--atari-2600-jr |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Unreleased prototypes===
The [[Atari 2700]] was a version of the 2600 with wireless controllers.

The CX2000, with integrated joystick controllers, was a redesign based on human factor analysis by [[Henry Dreyfuss Associates]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2000/a2000.html|title=The Atari CX-2000 Prototype|publisher=www.atarimuseum.com|access-date=2019-02-18|archive-date=January 17, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117093134/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2000/a2000.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The circa-1982 Atari 3200 was a backwards compatible 2600 successor with "more memory, higher resolution graphics and improved sound".<ref name="sylvia">{{cite web|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/sylvia/sylvia.html |title=The Atari 3200: Super-Stella/Sylvia |publisher=AtarL Museum |access-date=July 6, 2009 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130118010922/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/sylvia/sylvia.html |archive-date = January 18, 2013}}</ref>

===Related hardware and recreations===
The [[Atari 7800]], announced in 1984 and released in 1986, is the official successor to the Atari 2600 and is backward compatible with 2600 cartridges.

Multiple [[List of retro style video game consoles|retro-style consoles]] and [[microconsoles]] have been released since the lifespan of the original Atari 2600:
*The [[TV Boy]] includes 127 games in an enlarged joypad.
*The [[Atari Joystick Controller TV Video Game System|Atari Classics 10-in-1 TV Game]], manufactured by [[Jakks Pacific]], [[Video game console emulator|emulates]] the 2600 with ten games inside an Atari-style joystick with [[composite video|composite-video]] output.
*The [[Atari Flashback 2]] (2005) contains 40 games, with four additional programs unlocked by a [[cheat code]]. It uses a recreated chip based on original 2600 hardware, and is compatible with original 2600 controllers. It can be modified to play original 2600 cartridges.
*In 2017, [[Hyperkin]] announced the [[RetroN]] 77, a clone of the Atari 2600 that plays original cartridges instead of preinstalled games.<ref>{{cite web | title=Atari 2600 fans get the revival console they deserve. | date=June 14, 2017 | url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/13/atari-2600-retron-77/ | access-date=August 20, 2018 | archive-date=August 5, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805130403/https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/13/atari-2600-retron-77/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
*The [[Atari VCS (2021 console)]] can download and emulate 2600 games via an online store.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/atari-vcs-now-available-193329467.html | title = Atari VCS is now available to buy | first = Igor | last = Bonifac | date = June 15, 2021 | access-date = June 15, 2021 | work = [[Engadget]] | archive-date = June 15, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210615194626/https://www.engadget.com/atari-vcs-now-available-193329467.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
*The [[Atari Flashback series|Atari Flashback 12 Gold]] (2023) contains 130 games built-in.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atari Flashback 12 Gold Console |url=https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-12-gold-console |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=AtGames E-Store |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916163912/https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-12-gold-console |url-status=live }}</ref>
*The [[Atari 2600+]] (2023) is a replica of the 2600 and is 20% smaller. The 2600+ includes support for original Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nam |first=Michael |date=2023-09-30 |title=Atari 2600+ sees its future in retro gaming {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/30/tech/atari-2600-plus-wade-rosen-nintendo-playstation/index.html |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001011901/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/30/tech/atari-2600-plus-wade-rosen-nintendo-playstation/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*The Atari 7800+ (2024) is a smaller replica of the [[Atari 7800]]. It has similar features to the Atari 2600+, but its exterior encasing design pays homage to the Atari 7800.